. . . For Puerto Rico Not Yet

February 20, 1989

All right, then, what about statehood for Puerto Rico? At least this island commonwealth, which is larger than either Rhode Island or Delaware, is not a single city trying to give itself two U.S. senators and a representative.

The answer here is basically the same as for the District of Columbia: Just stick with the status quo.

Technically, Puerto Ricans have three choices - continuing commonwealth status, statehood or independence. They voted last on the question in 1967 and chose by about 60 percent to 40 percent to remain a commonwealth. The vocal, often terrorist independence faction got virtually no support.

Expect roughly the same result if another vote is taken - as suggested by President Bush, who likes the islanders' Republican sentiments. Circumstances making commonwealth status attractive have changed very little in 22 years.

Puerto Ricans have fewer voting privileges than residents of the district, but they're American citizens and they pay no U.S. income taxes.

Furthermore, mainland corporations get tax breaks if they build factories on the largely impoverished island. And most federal excise taxes collected there are given to its government.

Don't expect the Puerto Ricans to give all that up. Alaskans and Hawaiians were in a fair position to make such sacrifices because they desperately wanted statehood. The Hispanic Puerto Ricans represent much less affluence and desire.